Although a stereotype is defined as "any commonly known public belief about a social group or a type of individual", I think the term involves much more. When I think of a stereotype, prejudices based on assumptions come to mind. Many times those prejudices are created by the same or by opposing social groups, but many times they are created by the media. One thing is true, they are not always good. In fact, stereotypes depict bad aspects of a person or people in the group and make them more visible than what they really are. This, in turns, may lead to racism, homophobias, gender discrimination, bullying, etc. The prejudices are passed from generation to generation, from older people to young children who do not understand why they discriminate, and so deeper wounds are produced. Children also grow up with those concepts in their minds and when older those ideas become dangerous.
So, stereotyping based on negative aspects become a serious matter of investigation with the only purpose of leading a more peaceful life.
MY IDEA OF STEREOTYPE
Although a stereotype is defined as "any commonly known public belief about a social group or a type of individual", I think the term involves much more.
When I think of a stereotype, prejudices based on assumptions come to mind. Many times those prejudices are created by the same or by opposing social groups, but many times they are created by the media. One thing is true, they are not always good. In fact, stereotypes depict bad aspects of a person or people in the group and make them more visible than what they really are.
This, in turns, may lead to racism, homophobias, gender discrimination, bullying, etc.
The prejudices are passed from generation to generation, from older people to young children who do not understand why they discriminate, and so deeper wounds are produced. Children also grow up with those concepts in their minds and when older those ideas become dangerous.
So, stereotyping based on negative aspects become a serious matter of investigation with the only purpose of leading a more peaceful life.